Grasping Smoke: A Cade Taylor Novel

by Michael Hearns

Cade Taylor returns from Michael Hearns' debut novel "Trust No One." It is six months later and life isn't any easier for undercover vice narcotics detective Cade Taylor. A failed marriage, faltering relationships and the constant danger of being undercover in Miami has him feeling spiritless and alone. Assigned to a DEA task force, he is tasked with supporting another federal agency and finds himself on the verge of burning out.
But it's the betrayals Cade can't see that pose the greatest threats.
He is a man seemingly without direction. Cade slowly becomes reconstructed as he helps a novice homicide detective challenged by a series of connected murders. Cade's lonely wanderings of Miami's grittier streets and neon lit hotspots suddenly has investigative purpose as he risks all he has left in him to uncover the truth-a labyrinth of misdirection, false promise, and sinister individuals that thrive in the darkened shadows cast by Miami's towering buildings and tall palm trees. He can see what is before him but it is all so elusive, just like grasping smoke. He must weave amongst the cloaked agendas of those around him hidden in the dark-but can he navigate what lies beyond his own darkness?

368 pages, Paperback

Published May 25, 2021

About the author

Michael Hearns is a Miami native and a former 27-year veteran South Florida police officer and detective. He spent a decade undercover investigating large scale cocaine trafficking and high volume money laundering cases. Aside from working multiple drug trafficking and money laundering cases, he has a Master's Degree in Investigative Criminal Psychology and has worked and consulted on multiple serial homicide cases. His experience and knowledge has been valued as a technical advisor for motion pictures and television.